UK PAYE tool
Payslip Health Score
A 0-100 score across five dimensions of your payslip. Spot soft spots in 30 seconds.
What a result looks like
Sample: 1257L code, 5% pension matched, NI A, 0 unknown items, cumulative. Score 100 - appears consistent.
What we check
- Tax code health.
- Pension contribution vs employer cap.
- NI category.
- Number of unidentified deductions.
- Cumulative vs emergency PAYE.
When to use this tool
- Quarterly self-checks.
- After a job change.
- After HMRC sends a coding notice.
- Before applying for a mortgage or loan.
What the result bands mean
80-100
Appears healthy.
60-79
Some items worth reviewing.
< 60
Possible issue - review with payroll / HMRC.
Common mistakes
- Counting employer pension as your %.
- Reading W1 as part of the tax code number.
- Treating reasonable but unusual NI categories as wrong.
Worked example
Code BR, 3% pension vs 5% match, NI A, 1 unknown deduction, cumulative.
Tax 8 + Pension 10 + NI 20 + Deductions 14 + PAYE 20 = 72.
Band: medium - tax code and pension worth reviewing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'good' score?
80+ generally appears healthy. Below 60 is worth a structured review.
Does the score replace HMRC?
No - it is a heuristic flag, not an official assessment.
Why does the tax code matter so much?
It is the single biggest driver of how much PAYE you pay. Wrong code = wrong tax.
Why penalise non-cumulative codes?
They smooth less well over the year and are often a sign HMRC needs more info.
Will the score change month to month?
Yes, especially if HMRC changes your code or your pension % changes.
Sources
- HMRC: Tax codes, NI categories, PAYE operation.
- The Pensions Regulator: auto-enrolment.
Last verified: 2026-05-03.
Disclaimer: Heuristic score, not an official assessment.